A former Ohio resident has brought his Midwestern values and extensive financial expertise to Southern California, launching a new firm dedicated to supporting the backbone of the local economy: small businesses.
Christopher Newman, MBA, recently founded Newman Bookkeeping & Accounting, LLC, a Fontana-based firm designed to help small business owners navigate the complexities of financial management. With more than a decade of experience in both public and private sector accounting, Newman aims to provide the clarity and confidence entrepreneurs need to focus on growth and innovation rather than grappling with time-consuming bookkeeping.
The firm offers a robust suite of services tailored for service-based businesses, contractors, consultants, and other licensed professionals. These services include meticulous financial reporting and analysis, management of accounts receivable and payable, full-service payroll processing, and guidance on sales tax compliance and filing. By handling these critical but often burdensome tasks, Newman's firm allows business owners to redirect their energy toward their core operations and strategic goals.
A foundation of perseverance
Newman's path to becoming a California business owner was shaped by experiences that instilled in him a deep sense of resilience and principle. Originally from the small town of Peebles, Ohio, he credits his formative years in his local church with strengthening his character. He navigated leadership transitions and a dynamic environment that, he says, reinforced his commitment to perseverance and principled growth.
Initially, Newman pursued a career in education. He earned an Ohio Resident Educator License for Business Education and a School Business Manager License, with the ultimate goal of returning to teach at his alma mater, Peebles High School. When that opportunity did not come to fruition, he found himself at a professional crossroads. Instead of being discouraged, Newman redirected his career toward accounting and business, a field that has defined his professional life ever since.
He says these early challenges were grounded in the enduring truth of a biblical passage, 2 Corinthians 4:8–9, which speaks of being 'perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken'. This perspective, he notes, reinforced his belief in merit, forward progress, and overcoming adversity.
Expertise for the modern business
To build his expertise, Newman completed his undergraduate studies in business administration with a major in accounting at Shawnee State University in Ohio. He later earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Accounting from Azusa Pacific University in Southern California, solidifying his connection to the region. He also undertook additional academic training in education and school business administration through the University of Rio Grande and the University of Dayton.
A key aspect of his firm's offering is expertise in modern financial systems. Newman is an Advanced Certified QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor, a credential that signifies a high level of proficiency in the popular accounting software. Newman Bookkeeping & Accounting, LLC specializes in optimizing QuickBooks Online for clients, ensuring they have structured, decision-ready financial reports at their fingertips.
While headquartered in Fontana, the firm is not limited by geography. Leveraging secure, cloud-based technology, Newman and his team can support clients locally in the Inland Empire and across the United States. This virtual model reflects a growing trend in professional services, allowing for flexibility and a wider client reach. The move toward virtual business operations has become increasingly relevant as more companies seek efficient and accessible expert support, a challenge that has impacted everything from local retail to the local news industry.
Midwestern values in a California market
Newman says his Ohio upbringing is central to his business philosophy. He emphasizes that the principles of hard work and accountability, learned in his hometown, are the cornerstones of his practice.
Growing up in Ohio instilled in me the value of hard work, integrity, and community. Those experiences shaped my belief that opportunities should be earned through merit, discipline, and accountability. not through partiality, influence, or ingratiation. Even though I now live in California, those principles continue to guide how I serve my clients every day.
This commitment to merit-based success and integrity is particularly crucial in the accounting field, where trust and accuracy are paramount for a business's health and legal standing. It's a sentiment that resonates with many who are working to establish themselves, similar to efforts seen in programs like the DC homebuyer club, which empowers residents through financial literacy and support.
Before moving to California, Newman was an active member of his Ohio community, serving on the Peebles Village Council. He now resides in Rancho Cucamonga with his wife, Larini, and their two sons, Paul and Luke. While fully embracing his life in California, he remains proud of his Ohio roots and the community that shaped his character and professional outlook.
Newman Bookkeeping & Accounting, LLC is now accepting clients, and business owners can find more information on its services at www.newmanaccountingadvisors.com.
